Push Pin Bearing Mechanism for Actuators

ABSTRACT

A thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) assembly or automatic temperature balanced actuator (ABA) assembly controls a manifold assembly through a push pin bearing mechanism. The push pin bearing mechanism comprises a push pin that moves in a linear direction responsive to rotational movement of a motor gear that is coupled through a helical gear. Rotational movement of the push pin is prevented by a ball bearing assembly. Movement of the push pin is transferred to a manifold pin, which in turn, controls the manifold assembly. Because the push pin moves in a linear rather than a rotational fashion, erosion of the mated manifold pin is substantially reduced with respect to transitional approaches.

This patent application is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/869,859 entitled “Push Pin Bearing Mechanism forActuators” filed on Jan. 12, 2018 which claims priority to U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/525,457 entitled “Push PinBearing Mechanism for Actuators” filed on Jun. 27, 2017, both of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a ball bearing assembly thatprevents rotation of a push pin, thus substantially reducing erosion ofa mating manifold pin when the push pin and the manifold pin are incontact.

BACKGROUND

A thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) is a self-regulating valve fitted toa hot water heating system radiator, to control the temperature of aroom by changing the flow of hot water through the radiator. However,with traditional approaches, a TRV may incur erosion to internalcomponents, thus causing improper operation of the TRV.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitedin the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) with a rotating pushpin in accordance with prior art.

FIG. 2 shows a push pin bearing mechanism according to one or moreaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a ball bearing assembly used by the push pin bearingmechanism shown in FIG. 2 according to one or more aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional composite of the push pin bearingmechanism shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 according to one or more aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 5 shows the push pin bearing mechanism incorporated in an automatictemperature balanced actuator (ABA) application according to one or moreaspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows the push pin bearing mechanism incorporated in athermostatic radiator valve (TRV) application according to one or moreaspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a control circuit for controlling a motor of a push pinbearing mechanism according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of various aspects describedherein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intendedto identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope of theclaims. The following summary merely presents some concepts in asimplified form as an introductory prelude to the more detaileddescription provided below.

In one embodiment in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, abearing assembly prevents rotation of push pin, thus substantiallyreducing wear (erosion) of the mating manifold pin when the push pin andthe manifold pin are in contact. Linear movement of the push pin movesthe manifold pin to position a valve in a manifold assembly.

With another aspect, a push pin bearing assembly comprises a housing, amotor gear, a coupling gear, a bearing assembly, a tube, and a push pin.The coupling gear is screwed into the housing and coupled to the motorgear in order to transfer the rotational movement from the motor gear tothe coupling gear. The push pin is inserted to the bearing assembly andfixed onto the tube, where the push pin moves in a linear directionresponsive to the rotational movement of the coupling gear and iscapable of being in contact with a manifold pin. The bearing assemblyprevents the rotational movement from being transferred to the push pinwhen the push pin is in contact with the manifold pin.

With another aspect, a bearing assembly comprises an upper plate, lowerplate, and middle plate situated between the upper and lower plates andretaining a plurality of bearings. The upper plate and the middle plateare capable of rotating with a coupling gear of a push pin bearingassembly while the lower plate and the push pin are stationary withrespect to the manifold pin when the push pin and the manifold pin arein contact with each other.

With another aspect, a push pin bearing assembly is applied to anautomatic temperature balanced actuator (ABA) application.

With another aspect, a push pin bearing assembly is applied to athermostatic radiator valve (TRV) application.

These and additional aspects will be appreciated with the benefit of thedisclosures discussed in further detail below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) 104 that controls amanifold assembly 103 according to traditional approaches. TraditionalTRV 104 may comprise push pin 101 that typically causes erosion (forexample, wear due to friction) to manifold pin 102 when in contact whilepush pin 101 is rotating. Similar traditional approaches may be used forother applications such as an automatic temperature balanced actuator(ABA).

According to an aspect of the embodiments, as will be discussed, abearing assembly prevents rotation of push pin, thus substantiallyreducing wear (erosion) of the mating manifold pin when the push pin andthe manifold pin are in contact.

FIG. 2 shows a push pin bearing mechanism 200 according to one or moreaspects of the present disclosure. Mechanism 200 comprises push pin 201,ball bearing assembly 202, support plate 203, tube 204, coupling gear205, housing 206, and motor gear 207. As will be discussed in furtherdetail, push pin bearing mechanism 200 substantially prevents rotationalmotion from being transferred to push pin 201.

Push pin 201 may move a manifold pin (not explicitly shown) when incontact. The manifold pin, in turn, may position a valve to controlliquid (fluid) flow through a manifold assembly, thus controlling energytransferred to an associated radiator.

FIG. 3 shows bearing assembly 202 used by push pin bearing mechanism200, as shown in FIG. 2, according to one or more aspects of thedisclosure. Bearing assembly 202 comprises upper plate 301, middle plate302 and lower plate 303. With some embodiments, middle plate 302 retainsa plurality of ball bearings including ball bearings 304 and 305.However, some embodiments may incorporate a different type of bearingincluding a roller bearing, jewel bearing, fluid bearing, magneticbearing, and the like.

With an aspect of the disclosure, retainers for balling bearings 304 and305 may be formed from middle plate 302 (such as when middle plate 302is stamped during a manufacturing process), where the bearing retaineris an integral part of middle plate 302.

Referring to FIG. 2, while tube 204 is pressed fit onto helical gear205, the fittings between tube 204 and push pin 201 and between ballbearing assembly 202 and push pin 201 allow for upward or downwardmovement (which may be referred as linear movement) of push pin 201responsive to the rotation of coupling gear 205. However, ball bearingassembly 202 prevents rotational movement from being transferred to pushpin 201 as soon as push pin 201 contacts with the manifold pin (notexplicitly shown). The friction incurred between the manifold pin andpush pin 201 contact surfaces stops push pin 201 from rotating.Referring to FIG. 3, bearing upper plate 301 and bearing middle plate302 with ball bearings 304 and 305 rotate together with coupling gear205 (as shown in FIG. 2) while lower plate 303 and the push pin 201 (asshown in FIG. 2) are kept stationary with respect to the manifold pinwhen push pin 201 is in contact with the manifold pin.

With an aspect of the disclosure, push pin 201 is inserted to supportplate 203 to position push pin 201.

With an aspect of the disclosure, coupling gear 205 may comprise ahelical gear, spur gear, worm gear, bevel gear, and the like.

FIG. 4 shows three-dimensional composite 400 of the push pin bearingmechanism shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 according to one or more aspects ofthe disclosure. Support plate 403 and the ball bearing assembly(comprising upper plate 408, middle plate 409, and lower plate 410) areinserted to push pin 401. Push pin 401 is fixed onto the tube 404. Tube404 is pressed fit onto helical gear 405. Helical gear 405 is screwedinto housing 406 and motivated by motor gear 407 when motor gear 407rotates.

When motor gear 407 is rotating either clockwise or anticlockwise, motorgear 407 provides a torque force to helical gear 405, causing helicalgear 405 to rotate and at the same time transmitting the force andresulting in a vertical (linear) motion along the screw thread ofhousing 406. Helical gear 405 causes tube 404, support plate 403, ballbearing assembly, and push pin 401 to move up and down together. Tube404, support plate 403, bearing upper plate 408, and bearing middleplate 409 (comprising a plurality of ball bearings) rotate together withhelical gear 405 while lower plate 410 and push pin 401 are keptstationary by contact area friction among the manifold pin (notexplicitly shown). Consequently, push pin 401 moves only vertically(linearly) in push pin bearing mechanism 400.

Because push pin 401 does not encounter rotational movement when incontact with the manifold pin, resulting erosion to the manifold pin maybe ameliorated relative to traditional approaches.

FIG. 5 shows push pin bearing mechanism 500 used in an automatictemperature balanced actuator (ABA) application according to one or moreaspects of the disclosure. Push pin bearing mechanism 500 of an ABA maybe coupled to a manifold assembly (not explicitly shown) of a underfloorheating and/or cooling circuit. The ABA may include or may be connectedto two temperature sensors 510, where the first and second temperaturesensors 510 are located at emitter flow and return pipes, respectively,of the manifold assembly. Consequently, the ABA can determine thetemperature differential and adjust the actuator position a constanttemperature differential between the emitter flow and return pipes.

With some embodiments, a manifold assembly is the hub of aheating/cooling system that distributes water throughout a building. Themanifold assembly provides a central place to connect both emitter flow(supply) and return lines. Supply water from the heat/cooling sourceenters the manifold assembly and circulates fluid (for example, hotwater) throughout the system. Water flow through the manifold assemblyis controlled by a manifold control mechanism that comprises a manifoldpin and manifold valve. As discussed above, the manifold pin is drivenby a push pin.

Referring to FIG. 5, push pin bearing mechanism 500 comprises controlcircuit 509, which obtains an input signal that is indicative of atemperature differential and converts the input signal to the controlsignal for motor 508.

With some embodiments, an automatic temperature balanced actuatorassembly includes a manifold assembly, where the manifold assemblycomprises an emitter flow pipe and a return pipe for circulating fluid(for example, water). The actuator determines the differentialtemperature between the emitter flow pipe and the return pipe. Theautomatic temperature balanced actuator assembly may include first andsecond temperature sensors 510 located at the emitter flow pipe and thereturn pipe, respectively, where the temperature differential equals thedifference between first and second temperature measurements obtainedfrom the first and second temperature sensors 510, respectively.

Control circuit 509 drives motor 508 so that a rate of fluid flowthrough the manifold assembly is controlled by the position of amanifold valve based on the differential temperature.

When motor gear 507 is rotating either clockwise or anticlockwise asdriven by motor 508, motor gear 507 provides a torque force to helicalgear 505, causing helical gear 505 to rotate and at the same timetransmitting the force and resulting in a vertical (linear) motion alongthe screw thread of housing 506.

Push pin 501 is inserted to support plate 503 to position push pin 501.While tube 504 is pressed fit onto helical gear 505, the fittingsbetween tube 504 and push pin 501 and between ball bearing assembly 502and push pin 501 allow for upward or downward movement (which may bereferred as linear movement) of push pin 501 responsive to the rotationof coupling gear 505 (for example, a helical gear).

As previously discussed, ball bearing assembly 502 prevents rotationalmovement from being transferred to push pin 501 as soon as push pin 501contacts the manifold pin (not explicitly shown). The friction incurredbetween the manifold pin and push pin 501 contact surfaces stops pushpin 501 from rotating.

FIG. 6 shows push pin bearing mechanism 600 used in a TRV applicationaccording to one or more aspects of the disclosure. Push pin bearingmechanism 600 may be coupled to a manifold assembly of a underfloorheating and/or cooling circuit. The TRV may include or may be connectedto a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of a controlledenvironment. Consequently, the TRV controls the liquid flow (forexample, water) between emitter flow and return pipes to achieve adesired temperature of the controlled environment.

With some embodiments, a manifold assembly is the hub of aheating/cooling system and distributes water throughout a building. Themanifold assembly provides a central place to connect both emitter flow(supply) and return lines. Supply water from the heat/cooling sourceenters the manifold assembly and circulates fluid (for example, hotwater) throughout the system. Water flow through the manifold assemblyis controlled by a manifold control mechanism that comprises a manifoldpin and manifold valve. As discussed above, the manifold pin is drivenby a push pin.

Referring to FIG. 6, push pin bearing mechanism 600 comprises controlcircuit 609, which obtains an input signal that is indicative of themeasured environmental temperature and converts the input signal to thecontrol signal for controlling motor 608.

With some embodiments, a thermostatic radiator valve assembly includes amanifold assembly, where the manifold assembly comprises an emitter flowpipe and a return pipe for circulating fluid (for example, water).Control circuit 609 drives motor 608 so that a rate of fluid flowthrough the manifold assembly is controlled by the position of amanifold valve based on the measured environmental temperature and adesired temperature.

When motor gear 607 is rotating either clockwise or anticlockwise asdriven by motor 608, motor gear 607 provides a torque force to helicalgear 605, causing helical gear 605 to rotate and at the same timetransmitting the force and resulting in a vertical (linear) motion alongthe screw thread of housing 606.

Push pin 601 is inserted to support plate 603 to position push pin 601.While tube 604 is pressed fit onto helical gear 605, the fittingsbetween tube 604 and push pin 601 and between ball bearing assembly 602and push pin 601 allow for upward or downward movement (which may bereferred as linear movement) of push pin 601 responsive to the rotationof coupling gear 605 (for example, a helical gear). As previouslydiscussed, ball bearing assembly 602 prevents rotational movement frombeing transferred to push pin 601 as soon as push pin 601 contacts themanifold pin (not explicitly shown). The friction incurred between themanifold pin and push pin 601 contact surfaces stops push pin 601 fromrotating.

FIG. 7 shows control circuit 700 for controlling a motor (for example,motor 508 or motor 608 in FIGS. 5 and 6) of a push pin bearing mechanismaccording to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

Control circuit 700 comprises sensor interface 701, computing device710, and motor interface 703.

Sensor interface obtains input signal 751 from one or more temperaturesensors 510 so that computing device 702 can control motor 508 or 608 byapplying control signal 752 through motor interface 703.

Sensor interface 701 and motor interface 703 are typically in compliancewith the electrical characteristics of the one or more temperaturesensors 510 and motor 508,608, respectively.

With some embodiments, computing device 710 comprises processor 702 forcontrolling overall operation of the computing device 710 and itsassociated components, including memory device 704 (for example, RAM andROM).

Computing device 710 typically includes a variety of computer readablemedia. Computer readable media may be any available media that may beaccessed by computing device 710 and include both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise a combinationof computer storage media and communication media.

Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules or other data. Computer storage media include, but isnot limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium that can be used to store the desired information and that can beaccessed by computing device 710.

Computer-executable instructions may be stored within memory device 704and/or storage to provide instructions to processor 702 for enablingcomputing device 710 to perform various functions. Embodiments mayinclude forms of computer-readable media. Computer-readable mediainclude any available media that can be accessed by computing device710. Computer-readable media may comprise storage media andcommunication media. Storage media include volatile and nonvolatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer-readableinstructions, object code, data structures, program modules, or otherdata. Communication media include any information delivery media andtypically embody data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier waveor other transport mechanism.

Aspects of the invention have been described in terms of illustrativeembodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications andvariations within the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention willoccur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of thisentire disclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the steps illustrated in the illustrative figures may beperformed in other than the recited order, and that one or more stepsillustrated may be optional in accordance with aspects of thedisclosure.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus for supporting a manifold assembly, whereinthe apparatus is applied to a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV)application, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a motor gear capableof providing a rotation movement; a coupling gear screwed into thehousing and coupled to the motor gear in order to transfer therotational movement from the motor gear to the coupling gear; a bearingassembly; a tube pressed fixed onto the coupling gear; a push pininserted to the bearing assembly and fixed onto the tube, the push pinmoving in a linear direction responsive to the rotational movement ofthe coupling gear and capable of being in contact with a manifold pin;and the bearing assembly preventing the rotational movement from beingtransferred to the push pin when the push pin is in contact with themanifold pin.
 2. A thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) assemblycomprising: a motor responsive to a control signal initiating motormovement, wherein the control signal is indicative of a temperaturemeasurement; a push pin bearing mechanism comprising: a motor gearcapable of providing a rotation movement responsive to the motormovement; a coupling gear coupled to the motor gear in order to transferthe rotational movement from the motor gear to the coupling gear; abearing assembly, the bearing assembly including: an upper plate; alower plate; a middle plate situated between the upper plate and thelower plate and retaining a plurality of bearings; and the upper plateand the middle plate capable of rotating with the coupling gear whilethe lower plate and a push pin are stationary with respect to a manifoldpin when the push pin and the manifold pin are in contact with eachother; a tube pressed fixed onto the coupling gear; and the push pin,wherein the push pin is inserted to the bearing assembly and fixed ontothe tube and the push pin moves in a linear direction responsive to therotational movement of the coupling gear, and the bearing assemblyprevents the rotational movement from being transferred to the push pinwhen the push pin is in contact with the manifold pin.
 3. Thethermostatic radiator valve assembly of claim 2 further comprising: amanifold control mechanism comprising: the manifold pin; and a manifoldvalve, wherein the manifold valve is positioned in response to linearmovement of the push pin.
 4. The thermostatic radiator valve assembly ofclaim 3 further comprising: a manifold assembly, wherein a rate of fluidflow through the manifold assembly is controlled by the position of themanifold valve.
 5. The thermostatic radiator valve assembly of claim 2,wherein the coupling gear comprises a helical gear.
 6. The thermostaticradiator valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of bearingscomprises ball bearings.
 7. The thermostatic radiator valve assembly ofclaim 2 further comprising: a support plate; and the push pin insertedto the support plate.
 8. The thermostatic radiator valve assembly ofclaim 2, further comprising a control circuit, wherein the controlcircuit obtains an input signal indicative of the temperaturemeasurement and converts the input signal to the control signal.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the bearing assembly comprises: an upperplate; a lower plate; a middle plate situated between the upper plateand the lower plate and retaining a plurality of bearings; and the upperplate and the middle plate capable of rotating with the coupling gearwhile the lower plate and the push pin are stationary with respect tothe manifold pin when the push pin and the manifold pin are in contactwith each other.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: asupport plate; and the push pin inserted to the support plate.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the coupling gear comprises a helicalgear.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bearingscomprises ball bearings.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein themiddle plate comprises a bearing retainer integral to the middle plateand wherein the bearing retainer retains the plurality of bearings. 14.The apparatus of claim 9, the apparatus comprising a bearing retainer,wherein the bearing retainer is fastened to the middle plate to retainthe plurality of bearings.
 15. A thermostatic radiator valve (TRV)assembly comprising: a motor responsive to a control signal initiatingmotor movement, wherein the control signal is indicative of atemperature differential; a push pin bearing mechanism comprising: amotor gear capable of providing a rotation movement responsive to themotor movement; a coupling gear coupled to the motor gear in order totransfer the rotational movement from the motor gear to the couplinggear; a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly including: an upperplate; a lower plate; a middle plate situated between the upper plateand the lower plate and retaining a plurality of bearings; and the upperplate and the middle plate capable of rotating with the coupling gearwhile the lower plate and a push pin are stationary with respect to amanifold pin when the push pin and the manifold pin are in contact witheach other; a tube pressed fixed onto the coupling gear; the push pin,wherein the push pin is inserted to the bearing assembly and fixed ontothe tube and the push pin moves in a linear direction responsive to therotational movement of the coupling gear, and the bearing assemblyprevents the rotational movement from being transferred to the push pinwhen the push pin is in contact with the manifold pin; and a controlcircuit configured to obtain a first temperature measurement from afirst temperature sensor and a second temperature measurement from asecond temperature sensor, generate the control signal based on thefirst and second temperature measurements, and present the controlsignal to the motor.
 16. The thermostatic radiator valve assembly ofclaim 15, wherein the plurality of bearings comprises a ball bearing.17. The thermostatic radiator valve assembly of claim 15, wherein theplurality of bearings comprises a roller bearing.
 18. The thermostaticradiator valve assembly of claim 15, wherein the plurality of bearingscomprises a jewel bearing.
 19. The thermostatic radiator valve assemblyof claim 15, wherein the plurality of bearings comprises a magneticbearing.
 20. The thermostatic radiator valve assembly of claim 15,wherein the plurality of bearings comprises a fluid bearing.